Nuggets star Nikola Jokić kicked off the NBA Finals with a smooth 27 point, 14 assist, 10 rebound triple-double as Denver beat Miami 104–93 to take a 1–0 series lead.
As he has done throughout the season and into the playoffs, Jokić was seen after the game pointing to his palm in a gesture to his young daughter Ognjena in the stands, a gesture that she gave back to him before he walked off the floor.
It’s become a patented part of the Nuggets star’s postgame routine, but it doesn’t have any sort of link to Jokić’s quest for an NBA championship ring, as many assumed after seeing video of the exchange.
“It’s just a song that we sing, and she likes it,” he told ESPN during the Western Conference finals. “It’s just a song that we sing. It’s not a big deal, but she likes it. And I just want to have some connection with her.”
Nikola Jokic and his daughter shared a moment after Game 2, pointing to their ring finger ❤️ 💍 pic.twitter.com/XQWJrDHtuV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 2, 2023
Call it good luck, or just a father-daughter connection, but Jokić is one step closer to an NBA title, which would bring a whole new meaning to the ring celebration.
